Soda-fountain



(No Model.) T. 0. RILEY.

SODA FOUNTAIN. No. 515,056. Patentedf'eb. 20, 18945 My/55555. 12 16/7274. MW M UNITED STATES THOMAS C. RILEY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SODA-FOUNTAIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 515,056,dated February 20, 1894.

' Applicationfiled May12, 1893. Serial No. 473,896. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, THOMAS C. RILEY, of Boston,county of Suffolk, State of Massach usetts, have invented an Improvement in Soda- Fountains, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object to improve the construction of soda fountains, of that class or description where the sirup cans are withdrawn horizontally at the front.

In accordance with this invention the sirup cans are contained in separate chambers or compartments, and means are provided whereby said chambers or compartments are separateiy closed, preferably automatically, when the can is withdrawn to prevent the entrance of warm air, which quickly and materially raises the temperature of the vacant chamber, as well as the adjacent chambers, and the main cooling chamber which is in open communication with the can-receiving chambers at the rear. When the can is inserted the front opening of the chamber is herein shown as closed in part by-a false front rigidly connected with the can, the remaining portion of said opening being closed by a vertically sliding plate. The can receiving chambers or compartments each have horizontal bottoms, upon which the cans rest, and a roller, caster, or equivalent device is secured to the under side of the can at or near its rear end which serves the double purpose of facilitating the free introduction of the can, and also for raising the rear end of the can in order that the sirup contained therein may flow toward the front end. The top wall of the can-receiving chamber may be made to decline toward the rear if desired.-

Figure 1, shows in front elevation a soda fountain embodying this invention; Fig. 2, an enlarged longitudinal vertical section of one of the can-receiving chambers, and sirup can therein 5 Fig. 3, a perspective detail of the closing device for the'can-receiving chamber, and Fig. at, a detail of the closing lid.

The case a, of the soda fountain may be made of any suitable shape, size, and design.

Arranged horizontally within the case a, side by side, and preferably extending from end to end, are a series of separate or independent chambers b, the top wall of each chamber declining toward the rear, and form ing the bottom of the main cooling compart- I ment, while the bottom wall of each of said chambers is made horizontal, the rear ends of said separate chambers being in open communication with the main cooling compartment. At the front end of the side walls or partitions of said can-receiving chambers, a narrow vertical strip 0 of metal or other material is secured. The cans d are of suitable shape to be freely introduced into the chambers or compartments 1) through the front opening,and are provided with lidsat their upper sides for the introduction of the sirup, and at the front end with a suitable faucet d by means of which the sirup may be withdrawn. Two or more rollers or casters 01 are suitably supported upon the under side of each can at or near its rear end to facilitate introducing the can, and also to raise the rear end of said can in order that the sirup may more readily flow toward the front end.

My invention comprehends any suitable form or construction of roller or caster or equivalent therefor. A small false front or plate d is rigidly connected with each can as for instance it may be rigidly secured to the stem of the faucet, and it may be made wide enough to snugly fit between the vertical strips 0, and high enough to partially close the front opening. To completely close said front opening, vertical slides or plates (1 are provided which slide in groove 0 formed in the sides or edges of the strips 0.

To remove a can the slide d is first raised, and then the can withdrawn.

Any desirable word or words indicating the kind of sirup contained in the can may be engraved or otherwise indicated upon the slides d and as will be seen they are readily interchangeable for different seasons or for any other purpose.

To close the can-receiving chamber when the can is withdrawn, I have herein shown a lid e, pivoted at e to the top wall of the chamber at or near the front end, said lid being made to fit the chamber, but to insure a tight fit, its edges may be packed, or supplied with a strip of rubber or other suitable packing.

Secured to the inner side walls of the chambers are suitable ribs e upon which the lid too e rests when permitted or caused to close the chamber. By arranging the lid in the manner shown it will be seen that it will be raised automatically by the can when the latter is being introduced,suitable friction rolls being provided if deemed necessary, and when said can is withdrawn it will fall by gravity. I desire however that it be understood that my invention comprehends any other construction of lid or device by which the can-receiving chamber is closed by the withdrawal of the can, or operated automatically or otherwise, so long as it subserves the desired ends. This device retains the cold air, and prevents the outside air of a higher temperature from rushing into the chamber, and thereby raising its temperature, as well as the temperature of the adjacent chambers or the main cooling chamben.

I claim- 1. In a soda fountain, the combination of a series of separate horizontally arranged canreceiving chambers in open communication with a main cooling chamber, sirup cans contained in said chambers, means for closing the front openings of said chambers when the cans are in position, and closing devices for said chambers operating to close the same when the chamber is vacant, substantially as described.

2. In a soda fountain, the combination of a series of separate horizontally arranged canreceiving chambers in open communication with the main cooling chamber, sirup cans contained in said chambers, means for closing the front openings of said chambers when the cans are in position, and closing devices for said chambers located near the front ends thereof, and operating to close the same when the chamber is vacant, substantially as de scribed.

3. In a soda fountain, the combination of a series of separate horizontally arranged canreceiving chambers in open communication with a main cooling compartment, sirup cans contained in said chambers, means for closing the front openings of said chambers when the cans are in position, and closing devices for said chambers, operating by gravity to automatically close the chamber whenthe cans are withdrawn, and moved into their abnormal positions by the cans when introduced, substantially as described.

4. In a soda fountain, the combination of a series of separate horizontally arranged canreceiving chambers, in open communication with a main cooling chamber, sirup cans contained in said chambers, means for closing the front openings of said chambers when the cans are in position, and closing devices for said chambers, consisting of pivoted lids e, operating to close the same when the cham her is vacant, substantially as described.

5. In a soda fountain, the combinationof a series of separate horizontally arranged canreceiving chambers in open communication with a main cooling chamber, sirup cans contained in said chambers, means for closing the front openings of said chambers when the cans are in position, ribs e secured to the inner side walls of said chambers, and pivoted lids 6, operating to'close on said ribs and thereby close the chambers when vacant, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS o. RILEY..

Witnesses:

B. J. NOYES, CHARLES B. CROOKER. 

